Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania, to the Inhabitants of the British Colonies

"Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania, to the Inhabitants of the British Colonies" by John Dickinson is a collection of essays written in the late 18th century. The work discusses the political and legal arguments surrounding British taxation and its implications for the American colonies, articulating a defense of colonial rights in response to perceived oppression from the British Parliament. Through the letters, Dickinson seeks to unify the colonies and encourage collective action against unjust legislation. At the start of the collection, the author introduces himself as a Pennsylvania farmer who has acquired a wealth of knowledge through his education and experiences. He expresses profound concern over the British Parliament's actions, particularly the suspension of New York's legislative assembly for non-compliance with the provisioning of British troops, which he views as a dangerous precedent for colonial liberties. Dickinson underscores the need for the colonies to unite in defense of their rights and encourages a modest but firm response from the assemblies to express discontent over this parliamentary overreach.